Men earned on average about £86,000 annually in fee income. For women, the figure was a mere £57,000.

Researchers found that in the past year the average gross earnings for men fell by five per cent and rose by six per cent for women. But areas of law remained in which the gap widened, among them immigration, property and probate disputes as well as personal injury, where women earned 53 per cent less than men.

The gap compares unfavourably to large law firms in London and commercial law firms in the regions, where women earn about 25 per cent less than men.

Mark Fenhalls KC, the Bar Council’s chairman, said “there remains a long way to go to close the earnings gap, particularly in the higher earning practice areas”. He said that chambers could “make a significant difference through ensuring fair distribution of work”.